Kankakee County CEO students recently visited Girard's Ace Hardware, Lighting and Furniture in Bourbonnais, where Grant Girard shared insights into operating a locally owned, family-run business that is part of a nationally recognized brand. Our local Girard Ace Hardware also sells a variety of additional products, such as furniture, grills, and more!

With more than 5,000 stores worldwide, Ace Hardware is unique in that most locations are independently owned by local entrepreneurs, allowing each store to serve the specific needs of its community.

Students explored the store's wide variety of products, including hardware, furniture, lighting, grills, and paint, and even got hands-on experience mixing paint and cutting their own key!

Thank you to Grant and the Girard Ace Hardware team for showing our students how local entrepreneurship, customer service, and a national brand can work together to build a successful business!